Feinstein's response to war on Iraq

Dear - :
Thank you for contacting me regarding expanding the war on terrorism to Iraq. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

I believe we need to employ every tool at our disposal to protect our nation, including, if necessary, the use of our armed forces. However, before we resort to using force against Iraq, the Administration must exhaust all other options . As a result, I introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 133, which calls for
Congressional authorization or a declaration of war before force is used against Iraq.

The resolution expresses the sense of the Congress that:

The United States and the United Nations Security Council should insist on a complete program of inspection and monitoring to prevent the development of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq;

Iraq should allow the United Nations weapons inspectors "immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of transportation which they wish to inspect" as required by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1284 of December 17, 1999;

The United States should not initiate the use of force against Iraq without specific statutory authorization or a declaration of war under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution of the United States (except as provided by the existing Rules of Engagement used by coalition forces to exercise the right of self defense, or under the National Security Act of 1947).

If the Administration presents Congress with evidence to justify military action against Iraq, I will consider the information with great care to ensure any action taken is in the best interests of our nation. I also strongly believe that if the United States is to take
action against Iraq we must have a just cause, the threat must be real and immediate, and we must have the support and assistance of the international community.

Again, thank you for your views during this difficult time. If you should have any additional comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. DF:wk

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

http://feinstein.senate.gov